The Story Behind September 15, India’s National Engineer’s Day

Engineer’s Day in India is celebrated on September 15 annually. The India 2022 will celebrate this special occassion by organising seminars, workshops, lectures and engineers will be awarded for their amazing contributions and success. But why is Engineer’s Day celebrated in India on this particular day? Most importantly, how is September 15 significant for Indian engineers residing in India or abroad? If you are looking for answers to all such questions, we welcome you onboard. You will also learn about the background or the history behind Engineer’s Day in India, the father of Indian Engineering and several other questions through the FAQ section which may have crossed your mind.

So, without any delay let us start our reading adventure! 

What is Engineers Day in India? 

Indian National Engineer’s Day is celebrated on September 15 annually which also marks the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, also known as Sir M. Visvesvaraya or Sir M.V. This day pays tribute to one of the best civil engineers of India i.e., Sir M.V who engineered several constructions of dams, reservoirs, hydro-power projects and played a significant role in flood water management. Engineer’s Day in India is also important because it is a pat on the back for all such engineers who are contributing to build a developed, modern and dignified India. 

Apart from India, National Engineer’s Day is also celebrated in Sri Lanka and Tanzania on September 15 every year. 

Who is Sir M Visvesvaraya? 

• Sir M Visvesvaraya or Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was India’s most prolific civil engineer who was born to Telegu-Brahmin parents who were scholars of Sanskrit. Sir M.V resided in a small village (Muddenahalli) in Karnataka, India with his family. He was born on September 15, 1861. His schooling was completed in his hometown following which he opted for Bachelor of Arts at Madras University. He decided to change his career stream after he graduated. Planning to opt for the science, he pursued civil engineering from Pune’s College of Science. 
• For the different industrial, social and economic projects that he undertook, he came to be referred as the “Father of Modern Mysore”. Sir M Visvesvaraya is also the “Father of Indian Engineering”. 
• He founded the Mysore Soap Factory, State Bank of Mysore, Bangalore Agricultural University, Mysore Iron and Steel Works etc. 
• He also established a college in 1917 named after him, known as the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering or the Government Engineering College at Bengaluru. The vision of Sir M Visvesvaraya is still preserved as the institution completed more than 100 years in history. Another college named after him is the Visvesvaraya Technological University in Belagavi that was established by the government of Karnataka. 
• He worked with the PWD of Bombay and later joined the Indian Irrigation Commission on invitation. 
• He passed away on April 14 in 1962. There were 5 months left to his 102nd birthday. 

When Was First Engineer’s Day Celebrated in India?  

The First Engineer’s Day was celebrated on September 15, 1968 that was the birth anniversary of engineering pioneer “Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya”. The declaration of the important day was made by the Government of India during that period. 2022 will celebrate the 161st birth anniversary of Sir M Visvesvaraya with the celebration of the Civil Engineer’s Day. 

What are The Contributions of Sir M Visvesvaraya? 

• The contributions made by Sir M Visvesvaraya towards the field of engineering and education is immense. He was involved in the irrigation system implementation or water resources harnessing projects in the Deccan Plateau. 
• Visvesvaraya was also responsible for the construction and consolidation of dams and reservoirs to  the benefit of the common people as well as the nation. 
• Under his workmanship, several architectural marvels were built. As the chief engineer, he oversaw the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam Mysore, Karnataka which was the largest reservoir in Asia during the period. It was his most renowned work of all. 
• In 1903, Sir M Visvesvaraya patented and designed the “Block system” or the automatic barrier water floodgates that would close automatically when water overflowed through them. The floodgates were first installed at the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune. It was done to increase food supply level and storage facility. They were also installed at Tigra Dam in Gwalior and Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Karnataka. 
• During the great Musi Flood of 1908, 50,000 people were killed and three bridges were washed away. The Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan then, sought the help of Sir M Visvesvaraya to reconstruct the city and prevent future flooding in the area. The engineer investigated the matter and realised that the only way to prevent the recurrence of flood is to construct catchment areas in the basin above the city. More engineers worked together and no future instances of flooding was reported. 

Awards Received by Sir M Visvesvaraya  

• Sir M Visvesvaraya served as the 19th Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918. During this period, he transmuted the state of Mysore into a model state. 
• He was conferred the British knighthood or the Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire by King George V and therefore received the honorific title of “sir”. 
• Sir M Visvesvaraya received the highest civilian award of India, the “Bharat Ratna” in 1955 due to his outstanding contributions to the society and the nation. 
• Sir M Visvesvaraya received an honorary membership of London Institution of Civil Engineers, a fellowship from the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore), and numerous other degrees from 8 universities in India. 
• Sir M.V Visvesvaraya was also the president of the 1923 session of the Indian Science Congress. 

Engineers Day in India 2022 Quotes  

• “No one person can shape the life of another. Your success and happiness depends upon your own self. Think for yourself and have a plan of life.” 

• “Self-examination not moral or spiritual, but secular – that is, a survey and analysis of local conditions in India and a comparative study of the same with those in other parts of the globe.” 

• “Every man who has become great owes his achievement to incessant toil.” 

• “Mental energy is wasted in caste disputes and village factions.” 

• “If you feel that by giving this title, I will praise your government, you will be disappointed. I am a fact finding man.” 

• “Remember, your work may be only to sweep a railway crossing, but it is your duty to keep it so clean that no other crossing in the world is as clean as yours.” 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What is National Engineer’s Day? 

National Engineer’s Day is celebrated in India on September15 to pay tribute to the pioneer civil engineer Sir M Visvesvaraya of Karnataka. 

Why Do We Celebrate Engineer’s Day? 

We celebrate Engineer’s Day in India on September 15 every year to commemorate the civil engineer M. Visvesvaraya who had made significant contributions in the field of engineering, education and innovation. This day is also used to honour engineers across India who are contributing to build a better nation. 

When Engineers’ Day Started in India? 

The Indian government declared the birth anniversary of Sir M Visvesvaraya as the Engineer’s Day in India. It was first celebrated on September 15, 1968. 

Engineers’ Day Celebrated on Whose Birthday? 

Civil Engineer’s Day in India is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya who was a noted civil engineer of India. 

Who is the father of Indian Engineering? 

The father of Indian Engineering is Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya who was the first prolific civil engineer of the late nineteenth century. 

Who was the first engineer of India? 

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya a.k.a. Sir M Visvesvaraya was the first engineer of India who received his civil engineering degree from Pune’s College of Science. 

What is the theme of Engineer’s Day 2022? 

The theme of Engineer’s Day 2022 has not been revealed yet. The Engineer’s Day in India 2021 theme was “Engineering for A Healthy Planet- Celebrating the UNESCO Engineering Report” and the Engineers Day in India 2020 theme was “Engineers for a Self-Reliant India”.  

Final Thought! 

Engineer’s day in India that was first celebrated in 1968 continues to pay homage to the most respected man in the history of Indian Engineering. 

An engineer, economist and statesman Sir M Visvesvaraya was one of the foremost nation builders of India. 

Sir M.V is no more but he didn’t fail to inspire thousands of Indians who are looking forward to become engineers. His vision has been kept alive through the institutions and education that continues to build India’s future. As per the PM of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, ” Human progress would be incomplete without their innovative zeal”. September 15 celebrates the very spirit of such zealous engineers. 

What are your current thoughts on Engineer’s Day in India? Do you know when is International Engineer’s Day celebrated?